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In case you don't know, this very week is the biggest week in a year for to the global watch community because THE biggest watch exhibition, the Baselworld, is taking place in Basel, Switzerland (of course) at this very moment. What happens in Baselworld you ask? Simple. Almost ALL of the watch brands (from traditional powerhouses like Rolex and Patek to relatively niche watchmakers) around the world will come together and reveal their 2016 new releases and absolutely anybody in the watch business, the magazine editors, the buyers, the professional photographers, for instance, would be keeping a close eye on the new goodies delivered by the best names in the business.

And over the past few days or so, there are 3 new releases that have captured Lengbeau's heart in particular (so far) and it's only a right to do to share our quick view on them with you. To learn more about Baselworld 2016, feel free to go here.

Here comes our top 3 picks.

1. The Monsieur de Chanel

Context: This is hands down the biggest surprise coming out of Baselworld this year. While Chanel has been known for its prowess in the world of fashion, especially in the realm of top-of-the class womenswear, it will soon be taken as seriously by watch enthusiasts following the release of the Monsieur de Chanel watch, a technical, men-oriented jumping hour watch with retrograde minute indicator powered by a 100% in-house movement, aptly named Calibre 1.

Why we like it: The sheer immaculate execution of the various novel mechanisms going on in this watch. We've developed a particular liking to the hour window at 6 o'clock with a rotating disc underneath that "jumps" at the exactly moment between an hour and the next. The retrograde minute track and the second sub-dial are perfectly, vertically aligned above the hour window, leaving a highly symmetrical and coherent dial arrangement.

And did we mention the movement, developed in collaboration with Romain Gauthier (to which Chanel is a key investor), looks something like this? All we have to say is: welcome to the club, Chanel!

​2. Bulgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater

Context: Yet another non-pure-play watchmaker, Bulgari, more famously know for its jewelries, has really come out gunning in the Baselworld 2016 by claiming the title of the thinnest minute repeater on the market with its Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater. The entire watch is just 6.85mm high and the movement, called BVL calibre 362, is only 3.12mm high. 3.12mm ladies and gentlemen. Take a couple of credit cards out of your wallet, stack them, and you'd end up with a mass that's not even as thin as a watch movement.

Why we like it: Being the thinnest minute repeater is one thing but Bulgari did not disappoint in other such departments as product design and other technical achievements. For one thing, the entire case is made of titanium, a metal that could help the transmission of sound. The hour markers, which really are cut-outs from the dial (which is also made of titanium), also serve the purpose of improving sound transmission. The overall look remains elegant and dressy, which is the hallmark of watches from Bulgari's Octo line.

3. The Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8 Day Power Reserve

Context: Take a look at the picture above and let the unspeakable aura this new Grand Seiko is generating sink in. There's nothing fancy with this watch at first sight. It's a time-only dress watch that's as basic-looking as it can get. But this, is the kind of watch that really gets watch nerds excited. May we introduce you to you: the Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8 Day Power Reserve. The watch that received the unrivalled hand-finishing treatment from Seiko's elite watchmaking unit, the Micro Artist Studio in Shiojiri, Japan.

Why we like it: Subtlety and reservedness are the name of the game here. Despite having an unassuming appearance, this Grand Seiko has in fact received the absolute finest hand-finishing treatment from the Micro Artis Studio. In the past, the same studio has been handcrafting masterpieces for Credor, the ultra secretive, ultra premium product line from Seiko (if Grand Seiko is Seiko's solution to Rolex/ Omega, Credor is the company's answer to A.Lange/ Patek) but this year, for the first time it has done the same to a Grand Seiko watch.

The dial is actually diamond-dust covered, to mimic the idea of fresh snow seen in the region where the watch is created. The sword-shaped hands are as immaculately finished as ever with 5-facet polishing. The same dedication is also reflected in the way the case (made entire of platinum, my friends) is polished, in none other than Seiko's very own Zaratsu technique. Crisp, understated, but certainly packing a punch when investigated closer.

A closer look at the dial, hour markers and hands. (Photo courtesy: Hodinkee)

The brand new movement - Caliber 9R01 - as the name of the watch suggests, boasts a very strong power reserve of 8 days, achieved through a 3-barrel mainspring system. The finishing of the movement is again, top of the game with the upper left part beveled to the silhouette of Mt.Fuji and an useful power reserve indicator to the right.